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Hindu temples conduct religious congregations, discourses, and dance and music programs. They also engage in philanthropy and social work.
Traditionally, a temple project would be initiated by a patron who engaged a surveyor (sutragrahin), sculptors, and masons (vardhakins). A temple building followed the geometry of the Vastu Purusha mandala.
Most Famous Hindu Temples to Visit in India
1. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Vishnu is the presiding deity of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. He is also considered the ‘ruler’ of Travancore. It is believed that his ‘abhishekams’ and rituals have helped people overcome diseases.
It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and is considered the richest temple in India. It is highly influenced by the Dravidian architectural style.
2. Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple
Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the twelve most sacred shrines to Lord Shiva in India. It is located at the mouth of the Arabian Sea in Veraval, Gujarat, India.
This is a renowned Hindu temple that has withstood many attacks from Muslim rulers. Sardar Vallabhai Patel was instrumental in the reconstruction of this famous temple.
3. Maa Kamakhya Temple
Maa Kamakhya Temple is renowned for its powers of black magic removal and is a hub for tantric worship. It attracts a large throng of tantric devotees during the three-day Ambubachi Mela.
The architecture and ambiance of the temple add to its spiritual essence. It is also customary for both men and women to cover their heads before entering the sanctum.
4. Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple
A visit to Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is a spiritual journey that rejuvenates mind, body, and soul. Hon’ble Prime Minister shared a video on his X account showcasing glimpses of his trip to this iconic shrine that radiates divinity and timeless traditions.
5. Yamunotri Temple
One of the Four Dhams, Yamunotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Pilgrims visit here to offer prayers and seek blessings from the Goddess.
The sanctum sanctorum houses a silver idol of the Goddess. It also has a Divya Shila. Near the shrine is Surya Kund where the presiding deity bathes before being worshipped.
6. Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
The Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the largest and oldest temple in the city. The 11th-century structure represents the quintessence of the Kalinga style of architecture.
The temple houses several other deities in addition to the Shiva Linga and provides a holistic spiritual experience. It is best visited during Mahashivaratri, which falls in February or March.
7. Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple
This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. It is also the birthplace of Thiruppan Azhwar who recited the famous 10 Paasurams and got Moksham. This temple has 7 Prakarams and the seventh prakaram is called Bhoo Logam.
8. Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple Birla Mandir
Located in Delhi, Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple Birla Mandir is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Lakshmi and Vishnu. It is a three-story structure built in Nagara style with scenes from this cycle’s Yuga carved around it.
9. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 revered abodes of Lord Shiva. It is known for the daily ritual of bhasma aarti, in which the lingam is smeared with ash from funeral pyres.
The presiding deity here is a Swayambhu lingam – self-manifested. The lingam faces south and is surrounded by silver-plated idols.
10. Shrinathji Temple
This temple is believed to have been enshrined in the town of Nathdwara when the cart carrying the idol sank into mud at a particular spot. The escorting priests understood this as the Lord’s choice and made it his permanent home.
11. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga
Explore the complex of intricately carved temples and shrines at Omkareshwar. The temples here are a testament to the Nagara style of architecture.
It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is revered by Shiva devotees. It is believed that visiting this place will grant spiritual merit and liberation from the cycle of births and deaths.
12. Kailasanathar Temple
Kailasanathar Temple is a grand sandstone temple in the Dravidian style built during 685-705 AD. It is a sanctum dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is home to many inscriptions and carvings.
Its garbagriha has sculptures of aspects of Shiva like Bhikshatana, Lingodbhavamurti Tripurantakamurti, and other half-animal deities.
13. ISKCON Temple
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or the Hare Krishna movement, was established in 1966 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The movement has several temples, farm communities, and a range of community projects worldwide.
Its elaborate temples attract visitors who admire their architectural grandeur and spiritual vibe. They also conduct numerous religious events and festivals like Holi.
14. Ekambaranathar Temple
Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Stalams of Shiva and represents the element of Earth or Prithvi. It is one of the oldest temples of India and was erected by Chola rulers. The temple is also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams revered by Tamil Saivite saints, called Nayanars.
15. Yog Maya Mandir Mehrauli
Yog Maya Mandir Mehrauli is a temple of Goddess Yogmaya, the sister of Krishna. Located in Mehrauli, New Delhi, the temple is one of 27 destroyed by Ghazni and Mamluks and the only one remaining from the pre-sultanate period.
The legend states that when Mughal Emperor Akbar II’s wife was distressed with her son Mirza Jahangir’s imprisonment for firing at the British Resident that resulted in the death of his bodyguard she prayed to Goddess Yogmaya and vowed to place pankhas made of flowers at the temple. This tradition continues to date.
16. Pashupatinath Temple
Visiting Pashupatinath Temple at the right time can enhance your experience. Consider planning your trip around cultural festivals, especially during Bala Chaturdashi, and off-peak hours for a more reflective experience.
The Bhattas are highly educated scholars who undergo extensive examination on the Vedas and Shiva Agama before assuming priesthood. They are the stewards of the temple’s traditions and rituals.
17. Kedarnath Temple
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas and 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, Kedarnath Temple is an incredible place to pay your respects to Lord Shiva. It has survived through massive floods and earthquakes and is still standing tall today.
The temple is a glistening sight with its imposing pyramid-shaped shikhara and lofty snow-covered peaks. Inside, the ‘garbhagriha’ houses the presiding deity of Lord Shiva.
18. Vaishno Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most visited religious pilgrimage places in India. It is situated in a cave high up in the Trikuta mountain ranges of Jammu and Kashmir.
Spiritual legends say that the Pandavas built a shrine at this sacred spot. They asked the Goddess to take birth as a human and lead a life of piousness.
19. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. It attracts Hindu devotees from across the country and abroad. A glimpse of this mystical Jyotirlinga is said to wash away all sins and liberate souls.
20. Golden Temple Amritsar
The Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) is the spiritual center of 20 million Sikhs around the world. It is a working gurudwara and anyone can enter, but be sure to cover your head with a bandana or a saree and take off your shoes before entering the temple grounds.
FAQs
List of Hindu temples in India
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Golden Temple Amritsar
- Vaishno Devi Temple
- Kedarnath Temple
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Yog Maya Mandir Mehrauli
- Ekambaranathar Temple
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple
- Maa Kamakhya Temple
Famous Indian Temples
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is most famous Indian Temples.
Most beautiful temples in India
- Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple
- Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple
Most visited temples in India
- Golden Temple Amritsar
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Vaishno Devi Temple
- ISKCON Temple
Which is No 1 temple in India?
Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple is No 1 temple in India.
Which are the 7 Dham in India?
- Ayodhya
- Maya (Haridwar)
- Kasi (Varanasi)
- Dvaravati (Dwarka)
- Dwarka. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
- Kanchipuram
What are the 4 holy temples in India?
- Rameshwaram,
- Jagannath-Puri,
- Badrinath-Kedarnath
- Dwarka
Which temple is 20000 years old in India?
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is 20000 years old in India.
5000 years old temples in India
Kailasanathar Temple is 5000 years old temple in India.
Oldest temple in India
Mundeshwari Devi Temple is the Oldest temple in India.
List of 10,000 years old temples in India
- Badami cave temples
- Mundeshwari Temple
- Somnath Temple
- Dwarakadhish Temple
- Badrinath temple
- Brihadeeswarar Temple
- Kumbeswarar Temple
Oldest Hindu temple in the world
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Golden Temple Amritsar
- Vaishno Devi Temple
- Kedarnath Temple
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Yog Maya Mandir Mehrauli
- Ekambaranathar Temple
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
What are the 6 famous temples in India?
- Badami cave temples
- Mundeshwari Temple
- Somnath Temple
- Dwarakadhish Temple
- Badrinath temple
- Brihadeeswarar Temple